Taxonomy, Life History, and Ecology of a Mountain-Mahogany Defoliator, 'Stamnodes animata' (Pearsall), in Nevada

摘要

During 1978-79, the first known outbreak of the geometrid Stamnodes animata killed extensive stands of curlleaf mountain-mahogany, Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt., on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada. Taxonomy of the genus is revised and life stages of S. animata are described. Other aspects discussed are seasonal history, population sampling, and natural control factors. The outbreak was accompanied initially by increased deposition of leaf litter; a long-term effect was the loss of some passerine bird species. Susceptible stands appear to be extensive in area; grow on litter-rich, permeable soil; and lack predacious Formica ants.